Team 22, the Authorized Licensee of Under Armour, announced today the signing of Brett Hughes as the company’s West Coast Sports Marketing Representative and Sponsored Professional Athlete. The accomplished pro lacrosse player and humanitarian will represent Team 22 this week at the 2012 Men’s Lacrosse Final Four Weekend in Foxborough, Mass.

“I am excited to be part of Team 22 and Under Armour Lacrosse, the team, their attention to the sport, and what the brand stands for is something everyone admires,” said Hughes. “I look forward to bringing everything I’ve got to the team and then give a little more. I am excited for the future of Team 22 and Under Armour Lacrosse.”

Team 22, under the Under Armour banner, designs, manufactures and distributes lacrosse equipment. Under Armour stands as a world-wide developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. Team 22 Lacrosse was founded by Rochester Knighthawks and Hamilton Nationals Owner Curt Styres. Paul Gait, known as one of the greatest lacrosse players ever, serves as the president of Team 22. Gait was thrilled to add Hughes to the organization, which already includes 2012 National Lacrosse League champion Cody Jamieson of the Rochester Knighthawks and the Major League Lacrosse’s Hamilton Nationals.

“I would like to welcome Brett to Team 22 Lacrosse. His accomplishments at UVA and in the MLL make him a valuable asset in promoting the Under Armour brand of equipment. His position as a West Coast Sports Marketing Representative should help to accelerate Under Armour’s launch of lacrosse goods throughout the territory,” said Gait. “I would also like to commend him on his efforts to help grow the sport. His organizations have expanded opportunities for lacrosse players in both the United States and the UK.”

Fans can meet Hughes and Jamieson at the Under Armour Fan Zone, who will debut the new UA Charge Head, at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 26th.

Hughes has excelled in his on-field play and philanthropy. The Columbus, Ohio, native is in his seventh season in Major League Lacrosse and first with the expansion Ohio Machine. The MLL All-Star has played in 52 games in a career that has taken him to New Jersey, Los Angeles and Denver. Prior to his tenure in the MLL, Hughes played four years for the University of Virginia. At UVA, the defenseman started every game from 2001-05, won the 2003 NCAA Championship, and was a two-time All-American.

Off the field, Hughes has exhibited similar character by co-founding Lacrosse the Nations and “Another Best Day,” which is currently a blog that purveys his personal philosophy. Although lending himself to the UK school company, Hughes remains committed to developing Lacrosse the Nations, which was founded as a 501c3 non-profit organization. It’s mission is to improve education and health, while “creating hope and opportunity for children in need” using lacrosse as the unifying factor. Hughes serves as an ambassador of hope for underprivileged children, as he travels all over the world to help spread the game of lacrosse. He explained his use of lacrosse to form a bond between kids in different countries, in a recent article by Aly Morrissey.

“Anyone can agree that lacrosse is such a cool sport. Adding that element of the stick and ball is different than anything else; it’s intoxicating. So for the kids we work with, it’s not so easy that it gets boring, but it’s not hard enough that they lose interest,” he said. “It provides an outlet for them; it’s a recess from their daily struggles. The faces of the kids I’ve gotten to meet are always with me. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about the families and people I’ve met.”

Hughes has further demonstrated his love for the game through his involvement with Lacrosse The Pond, LLC, which allows players to achieve a 12-month master’s degree, while learning different cultures and playing lacrosse overseas from one of the UK’s premier universities. Hughes serves on the board of directors as the US President.

He will now bring that passion and dedication to Team 22 and Under Armour Lacrosse.